Deep Creek (Melbourne)

The Deep Creek is a watercourse[2] of the Port Phillip catchment, located in the outer north western suburbs of Melbourne, in the Australian state of Victoria.

For other geographic features called Deep Creek, see Deep Creek (disambiguation).

Deep
Bridge over the Deep Creek at Bulla, built in 1869.
Contour map of the Maribyrnong River basin; Deep Creek is the eastern tributary that rises on the northern slopes of Mount Macedon.
Location
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
RegionVictorian Midlands (IBRA), Greater Melbourne
Local government areaMacedon Ranges Shire, Hume, Brimbank
Physical characteristics
SourceMacedon and Cowbaw ranges, Great Dividing Range
 • locationnear Cobaw
 • coordinates37°16′30″S 144°35′58″E
 • elevation517 m (1,696 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the Jackson Creek to form the Maribyrnong River
 • location
west of Melbourne Airport
 • coordinates
37°40′10″S 144°48′16″E
 • elevation
42 m (138 ft)
Length128 km (80 mi)
Basin features
River systemPort Phillip catchment
Tributaries 
 • leftBoyd Creek, Dry Creek, Garden Hut Creek, Long Gully Creek
 • rightEmu Creek, Konagaderra Creek, Monument Creek, Five Mile Creek
[1]

Location and features

Formed by the confluence of a number of smaller streams draining the north eastern slopes of the Macedon Ranges and the southern slopes of the Cobaw range, both ranges being constituent parts of the Great Dividing Range, the Deep Creek rises north of Mount Macedon, near Cobaw. The river flows generally east in a broad shallow valley, to the north of Lancefield, before turning generally southwards towards Penmore to enter the deeper, narrower valley that characterises the remainder of the watercourse. The creek then flows east again before resuming its southward course at Darraweit Guim, towards Bulla, joined by several minor tributaries. The Deep Creek reaches its confluence with the Jackson Creek near Bulla and together they form the Maribyrnong River.[3] The deep and relatively narrow valley cut by the creek in its southward course through the surrounding basalt plains is particularly prominent at such localities as Darraweit Guim, Konagaderra and Bulla. The creek descends approximately 475 metres (1,558 ft) over its 128-kilometre (80 mi) course.[1]

Unregulated by major dams or diversions, the water levels in the creek show great seasonal variation.[4] Recently, Deep Creek flowed only seasonally along most of its length, although significant pools and stretches of water remain all year, some of which are local swimming holes.

Etymology

The creek was originally considered to be the extension of the Maribyrnong River, and as such has also been known as Saltwater River (an original name for the Maribyrnong River)[5] or alternatively the Upper Maribyrnong River,[4] Maribyrnong Creek,[6] Maribyrnong River East Branch[7] or Maribyrnong River Left Branch. Another possible name for the river is Darraweit Guim,[8] also the name of a small town located on the river. The name Deep Creek may refer to the deep valley the watercourse has cut through the plains north of Melbourne or the deep pools which have formed in the riverbed.

Geography

The named tributaries of the river, ordered upstream, are:

  • Jacksons Creek
  • Emu Creek
  • Konagaderra Creek
  • Boyd Creek
  • Five Mile Creek
  • Long Gully Creek
  • Dry Creek
  • Monument Creek
  • Garden Hut Creek

Crossings

Named bridges and other significant crossing points along Deep Creek, ordered upstream, include but are not limited to:

  • Bulla Bridge (current triple arch bluestone bridge built 1869, replacing an earlier timber bridge)
  • Wildwood Rd
  • Konagaderra Rd
  • McCabes Bridge (Stockdale Rd)
  • Darraweit Valley Rd
  • Chintin Rd
  • Gallaghers Ford (Joyces Rd)
  • Dalys Bridge (Woodend – Wallan Rd)
  • Sheehans Crossing bridge (Sheehans Rd)
  • Forbes Bridge (Forbes Rd)
  • Doggetts Bridge (Lancefield – Kilmore Rd)
  • Musteys Bridge (Lancefield – Tooborac Rd)
  • Linehans Bridge (Baynton Rd) (replaced by a low-level causeway during the 1990s, the old bridge is closed and derelict)
  • Twin Bridges (Kyneton – Lancefield Rd)
  • White Bridge (Whitebridge Rd)

See also

References
  1. "Map of Deep Creek, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  2. "Deep Creek: 14124". VICNAMES. Government of Victoria. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  3. "Deep Creek, Lancefield". Fishing Victoria Project. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  4. "Maribyrnong River Basin 30". Department of Primary Industries. Government of Victoria. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  5. "Maribyrnong River visitors guide" (PDF). Parks Victoria (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  6. Duncan, J. S., ed. (1982). Atlas of Victoria. Melbourne, Victoria: Victorian Government Printing Office. p. 207. ISBN 0-7241-8255-1.
  7. Victorian Municipal Directory. Brunswick: Arnall & Jackson. 1956. p. 791.
  8. Symonds, Ian William (1985). Bulla Bulla, an illustrated history of the Shire of Bulla. Melbourne: Spectrum. ISBN 978-0-86786-081-8.

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